Wednesday, November 30, 2011

UK Embassy in Iran closed, Iranian diplomats thrown out of England

My regular readers KNOW what my response was as I watched this story unfold yesterday. Today, I wrote on War On Terror News:

UKflag burning












In the aftermath of 'hardline students' attacking the UK Embassy in Iran, British Prime Minister David Cameron warned of 'serious consequences.' Today's reports give the UK's response.

From VOA News:

Britain has ordered the immediate closure of the Iranian embassy in London and has closed its embassy in Tehran, following a mob attack Tuesday on British embassy compounds in the Iranian capital.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague announced the decision in parliament Wednesday. He said Iran's diplomatic staff has been ordered to leave the United Kingdom within 48 hours.

He added that Britain's response is not an indication it is severing ties with Iran. However, he said the action reduces relations with Iran to the “lowest level consistent with the maintenance of diplomatic relations.”

On Tuesday, British Prime Minister David Cameron said Iran faced “serious consequences” for failing to defend the British compounds from protesters who smashed embassy windows and ransacked offices as police looked on.

The Iranian protesters had gathered in a reflection of government anger at British financial sanctions imposed on Iran last week.

Britain, the United States and Canada announced coordinated sanctions in response to Iran's pursuit of a nuclear program that U.N. experts say appears designed to build weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful.

Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani said Wednesday that Iranian police tried to maintain calm during the

assaults in Tehran. However, the attacks drew more international criticism Wednesday.


More here.

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